Why Am I Here?
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INTRODUCTION:
If you and I are to understand our purpose in life individually, and our reason for existence as a church, we must first get a grasp on the mission of Christ.
The best way to understand what the mission of Christ is all about is to find out what the scriptures say that Jesus and the early disciples understood that mission to be. In Luke 19:1-10, we find one of the clearest mission statements concerning Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth and a clear example of him pursuing that mission.
1 Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town.
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
3 He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowd.
4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree beside the road, for Jesus was going to pass that way.
5 When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. “Zacchaeus!” he said. “Quick, come down! I must be a guest in your home today.”
6 Zacchaeus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy.
7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
8 Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “I will give half my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have cheated people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!”
9 Jesus responded, “Salvation has come to this home today, for this man has shown himself to be a true son of Abraham.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Verse 10 (Luke 19:10) provides a concise and clear statement by Jesus Christ on what His mission was.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
There are three words in Christ’s own confession of His personal mission that provide the key to grasping the big picture of mission for our church collectively and for ourselves individually.
I- LOST
I- LOST
Luke 19:10c “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
(απολωλος= something that has become lost that once was possessed.)
A- The problem:
A- The problem:
1- All people are lost.
a. Romans 3:23
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
b. Romans 5:12
12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.
B- It’s a personal Problem:
B- It’s a personal Problem:
1- Zacchaeus
a. His life was lived in ironic contrast to his name.
His name meant “pure” or “righteous.”
He was not only a tax-collector (the profession was known for its dishonesty and thievery.) He was a Chief Tax Collector (αρχιτελωνης).
(Luke 19:2)
2 There was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was the chief tax collector in the region, and he had become very rich.
He had become “very rich” through performing his job.
He was known as a “notorious sinner.” (αμαρτωλω= known for his sinful behavior)
(Luke 19:7)
7 But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled.
2- There are of degrees of lostness.
a. All who are lost are in equal peril.
II- SEEK
II- SEEK
Luke 19:10a “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
(ζητησαι= to try to learn the location of something, often by movement from place to place in the process of searching—‘to try to learn where something is, to look for, to try to find.’)
A- Jesus came into the world to seek the lost.
A- Jesus came into the world to seek the lost.
1- He sought out Zacchaeus.
a. It was no accident that Jesus saw Zacchaeus!
b. Jesus searched out Zacchaeus and met him where he was— in the tree!
2- Jesus still seeks out individuals.
a. He seeks you today.
b. He meets you where you are.
B- Jesus commands His followers and his church to seek the lost.
B- Jesus commands His followers and his church to seek the lost.
(John 20:21)
21 Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”
1- As believers, our mission is the same.
2- Our collective mission is the same.
(Luke 14:23)
23 So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.
(Matt. 22:9)
9 Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’
III- SAVE
III- SAVE
Luke 19:10a “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
(σωσαι= to cause someone to experience divine salvation—‘to save.’)
A- Jesus came to provide salvation for those who are willing to receive it.
A- Jesus came to provide salvation for those who are willing to receive it.
1- Even to the worst of sinners.
(1 Timothy 1:15)
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.
B- Jesus has commanded us to be witnesses to His salvation.
B- Jesus has commanded us to be witnesses to His salvation.
(Acts 1:8)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Matthew 28:18-20)
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
(Mark 16:15)
15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.
CONCLUSION: